National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1887-07-05
WASHINGTON ORDNANCE YARD.
A Gradual and Extensive Increase in
the Amount of Work.

made that In time mechanics and others
would find ready employment are about
verified II the busy scenes going OH at that
great workshop are to be considered. AL.
ready quite a number Of workmen have
been taken on in various shops, until now
there are nearly 700 men at work. Before
the end Of this month at least fifty me.
chanics will be given work, not to speak Of
the men that will be required to dig the
foundation for the new ordnance shop.
MIR. Pugsley will begin the work OF digging
out the foundation OF the big shop next
Tuesday.
The work done In the yard during the
past few months Is showing for itself. All
the machinery In the different divisions Of
the ordnance department are being repaired
so as to conform to the latest patterns. The
old time machinery has been thrown away.
The old chain testing machinery has been
thrown out, aud the chain shop has been
converted into blacksmith shop and in
this place all the small forgipgs for general
work will be done. Already one big steam
hammer has been set up and another will
! coon be erected. Many workman will be
required for this place alone. The old
| joiners' shop has almost been made new
and next week the pattern makers will
occupy it. There will be room there for
100 men, though 1t is not expected that that
number will be at work for some time.
| The pulleys and lathes are now being
put up in this shop;. new floors have
also been laid, and the place is
| very presentable. The shop will probably
be occupied by next Wednesday. All the
machinery has been taken out Of the forge
| shop, the foundation for new floor has
| been dug, and the necessary machinery
| will shortly be put In place. In like man
ner all the other shops have, been over
hauled, and are now about ready for occu-
papcy. While these improvements have
been going on the busy mechanics have
been engaged In making tools for ordnance
work. Already there are eleven lathes In
use, all manufactured at the yard and on
which the guns Lave all, 80 far, been made.
| A new lathe has been completed and is now
In running order; II Is about forty feet
long and has a six-foot swing; 1t is capable
OF turning or boring both l5or 10 Inch
Number two lathe of the same pattern will
be finished in a months time, and work Is
being pushed on q third lathe OF the
same size. This character Of work
is difficult, and requires fine workmanship,
and the fact that these important tools can
only be best made OF this yard is high
compliment to the skill of the mechanics
there. These lathes are what are called the
ring lathes. A number OF larger ones have
been designed, and work on them will be
begun In time. A set OF them are planned
which will be quite revelation In their
way. These are to be so constructed that
the boring process will go on while the gun
is being turned. These lathes are to be
designated by the letters Of the alphabet
plenty Of work going on, and It is being
increased daily, and the result is that the
need OF more men is necessity. The
work for the Chicago has been started, aud
her armament will be ready by the time she
is fitted UP for sea. Assurances are given
that there is money enough and worl,
enough for ordnance work alone for the
continuous employment Of the force
through the entire fiscal year: This does no,
include the money appropriated for fitting
the place up as an ordnance yard. The
stone for the foundation of the new ord
nance shop will be obtained from the old
stone walls Of the anchor shop. This shor
will be under roof by, next December, and
by that time there will be nearly LOO mer
at work.
The following work is to be done for the
Chicago: Four S-inch guns, eight 6 inch
and two 5-inch, six 3pounder Hotchkis.
rifles, two 6-pounder Hotchkiss rifles
two 1.pounder Hotchkiss RIFLES 10
the tops, eight 1.pounder Hotchkiss rifle
launches, and six Gattling guns. All the
mounts for these guns are also to be made
and as the cruiser Is to be ready within
year, the gun work is to be pushed rapidly
All Of the guns are well under way. Til,
work on the l5-inch guns will
not be begun until the new
ordnance shop rs put up. BY that time al
new shop will be ready, 1t is learned that
the ordnance yard has had many drawback.
due to the Intervention and influence OF Ger
tain parties who, In conjunction with New
Workers. tried hard to have the gun worl
done by contract. Considerable jealous,
was said to have been manifested on tn,
Part Of the New York navy yard officials
to have the gun work taken from this yard
Ore great drawback to the workmen is tn
pay they receive for the excellent worl
they do. In the New York navy yard tn
flist-class machinist gets $3.50 per day
whereas at this yard the expert machinis
gets So per day and the flrst-clas
machinist only SO SO. The workmen can
not understand the reason of the govern
ment making such q disparaging pay roll
The belief is that 1t is due to the influence
of naval officers exerted In behalf of tn
New York yard. An opinion prevails alst
In naval circles that the most suitable hea,
for the ordnance bureau would DO Com
mander Goodrich. His general knowledg
and practical and executive ability ut hin
for the place. 1t is understood that Lieut.
Buckingham. U. s. NJ, who has recentl
returned from an extended tour throug
the shops Of Europe for observation, ha
submitted an excellent design OF lathe
simple In make and valuable In Its use. tn
machine is for boring and fitting up guns
A large quantity Of steel is expected dali
and the Washington ordnance yard is nov
fact and the number Of mechanics may b
expected to be increased week by week.
Best Goods are Put In Smallest Parcels
The old proverb is certainly true in the cas-
Of DIT. Pierce's pheasant Purgative Pellets,